Aztec City Commission approves purchase of HUB

Commission votes 3-2 in favor of purchase

In a file photo from Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, Mike Paschall, owner of 550 Brewing stands in front of his bar's location at The Aztec Hub located at 119 East Chuska Street in Aztec.(Photo: Daily Times file photo)

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Commissioner Sheri Rogers said community input convinced her to vote in favor of the purchase.

Two commissioners voted against the purchase due to concerns with the city's finances.

Aztec Mayor Sally Burbridge said there will be people who support the city's decision and people who are disappointed with the choice.

"This has been a tough decision," she said.

While the commissioners agreed it was a difficult choice to make, the City Commission had previously discussed the purchase during a work session last week and during a closed meeting on Monday.

“It would be a shame to lose such a valuable asset to the community.”

Four Corners Economic Development CEO Warren Unsicker

"This has been something that we've discussed," said Commissioner Austin Randall. "We’ve carefully considered it. We've looked at every option possible."

Randall and Commissioner Katee McClure cast the votes against purchasing the building due to the financial impact it would have on the city. In addition to the building's cost, the city will have to pay for building upgrades to meet codes, additional staffing, marketing and signs. The total cost is estimated at $235,000. The city had not included the purchase and other costs in the fiscal year 2018 budget.

Four Corners Economic Development CEO Warren Unsicker urged commissioners to purchase the building.

"It would be a shame to lose such a valuable asset to the community," he said.

Commissioner Sheri Rogers said she had initially planned on voting against the purchase but changed her mind after hearing comments from community members who described it as a valuable gathering place.

"It's going to be important for people to stand behind what they're saying," Rogers said.

Commissioner Sherri Sipe said the HUB is important because it could help the city in the long run.